Joel Embiid heads into his season of uncertainty

Joel Embiid enters the 2025-26 NBA season with significant uncertainty due to injuries that have caused him to miss more than half of each of the last two seasons. His recent history includes multiple knee surgeries, limiting him to just 19 games in the previous season, which contributed to the Philadelphia 76ers' poor 24-58 record. This has raised questions about the value of his contract, which is set to pay him over $187 million over the next three years, with concerns that it could be one of the worst in the NBA if he cannot return to form.

Despite his current struggles, Embiid was at the peak of his powers just 20 months ago, when he scored 70 points in a game and won the 2023 MVP award, demonstrating his elite scoring abilities. However, since then, injuries have plagued him, and the future holds a wide range of possibilities. On one hand, he could make a full recovery and return to All-NBA level play; on the other, his body might not withstand the demands of the NBA, potentially leading to an early retirement similar to other injury-prone big men like Yao Ming or Greg Oden.

The uncertainty extends to his immediate availability, as it is unclear if he will participate in training camp. Past instances, such as his involvement in offseason activities last year followed by setbacks, highlight the unpredictability of his condition. Ultimately, fans and the team hope to see him play again, not only for the 76ers' competitiveness but also due to Embiid's personal resilience through physical and emotional challenges, which have left a memorable mark on Philadelphia sports history.